Plans for Shrewsbury-London rail service jettisoned

VIRGIN Trains has axed plans for a Shrewsbury to London direct rail service.

The firm is unhappy with the time slots it has been given by Network Rail which it says would be unpopular with travellers and thus make the route economically unviable. 

Virgin had hoped London to Shrewsbury services would be operational by May, a move that was enthusiastically supported by local business leaders.

But it said the proposed timings – two weekday off-peak daytime slots and two slots on Sundays – were unattractive.

Virgin Trains said it would work with Network Rail and other groups to create a service to benefit Shropshire residents from December.

Shropshire remains the only county in England without a direct rail link to London.